Home Sales Take a Breather, Prices Remain Flat

DENVER, Aug. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The July 2011 RE/MAX National Housing Report, which surveyed 53 U.S. metropolitan areas, shows signs of a continuing, but uneven, recovery in the housing market.  After rising for two straight months, Home Sales fell 12.7% in July when compared with sales in June, following a traditional summer trend.  However, for the first time in six months, Home Sales were higher than one year ago, up an impressive 13.1% from July 2010.  Strict lending standards, bad appraisals and concern about the economy all contributed to lower than normal sales in July.  Many lenders are already using the lower GSE and FHA loan limits set to take effect on September 30.  Home Prices were even and inventory levels continued to fall for a thirteenth straight month.

"The fact that July home sales were higher than a year ago, and by such a significant amount, gives us reason for great optimism," said Margaret Kelly, CEO of RE/MAX, LLC.  "And now that prices have risen for four of the past five months, the housing market is beginning to show definite signs of recovery."

Transactions – Year-Over-Year Change

In the last 12 months, only January and July had Home Sales higher than the previous year.  January was up fractionally and July was up a solid 13.1% from July 2010.  Both investors and traditional home buyers became a little more skittish about the economy in July, perhaps due to the Debt Ceiling debate.  Traditionally, June sales are the highest of the year, with a slight drop in July.  Overall, sales were 12.7% lower in July than in June. However, 45 metro areas experienced more sales than in July of last year.  Some of those leading their 2010 sales numbers include:  Des Moines, IA +49.9%, Omaha, NE +46.8%,  Milwaukee, WI  +37.7%,  Providence, RI +32.4% and Wichita, KS +29.0.

Median Sales Price – Year-Over-Year Change

The July 2011 RE/MAX National Housing Report shows that Home Prices in July were just 0.18% lower than in June, while the year-over-year decrease of 4.6% is the smallest the survey has recorded in 6 months.  On a monthly basis, prices have now risen for four of the past five months.  There were 11 metro areas that recorded higher prices in July than in the same month last year, most notably:  Detroit +14.3%, Birmingham, AL +9.8%, Des Moines, IA +7.7%, Orlando, FL +5.5% and Pittsburgh, PA +4.4%.

Days on Market – Average of 54 Metro Areas

The average Days on Market for homes sold in July was 88, down just two days from the June level. July marks the first month since September 2010 that the Days on Market figure has been below 90. The July average is identical to September 2010, when the average Days on Market was also 88. Days on Market is the average number of days from listing to receipt of a signed contract.

Months Supply of Inventory – Average of 54 Metro Areas

Perhaps due to fewer foreclosure properties coming on the market, the 53 metro areas surveyed in the July 2011 RE/MAX National Housing Report had an average Months Supply of Inventory of 7.2, which is up slightly from the 6.9 mark registered in June, but down significantly from the 9.3 mark seen in July 2010. Overall inventory continued a 13-month trend to lower levels. Inventories were 5.3% lower in July from June, and down 17.1% from July 2010.  The Florida markets continue to see the largest annual drop in inventory: Miami, FL -52.5%, Tampa, FL -37.3%, Phoenix, AZ -35.6% , Los Angeles, CA -32.4% and  Chicago, IL -26.9%.

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Description

The RE/MAX National Housing Report is distributed each month on or about the 15th. The first Report was distributed in August 2008. The Report is based on MLS data in approximately 54 metropolitan areas, includes all residential property types, and is not annualized. For maximum representation, many of the largest metro areas in the country are represented, and an attempt is made to include at least one metro from each state. Metro area definitions include the specific counties established by the U.S. Government's Office of Management and Budget, with some exceptions.

Definitions

Transactions are the total number of closed residential transactions during the given month.  Month's Supply of Inventory is the total number of residential properties listed for sale at the end of the month (active inventory) divided by the number of sales contracts signed (pended) during the month.  Where "pended" data is unavailable, this calculation is made using closed transactions.  Days on Market is the number of days that pass from the time a property is listed until the property goes under contract for all residential properties sold during the month. Median Sales Price is the median price of all residential properties sold during the month.

MLS data is provided by contracted data aggregators, RE/MAX brokerages and regional offices.  While MLS data is believed to be accurate, it cannot be guaranteed.  MLS data is constantly being updated, making any analysis a snapshot at a particular time.  Every month the RE/MAX National Housing Report re-calculates the previous period's data to ensure accuracy over time.  All raw data remains the intellectual property of each local MLS organization.

SOURCE RE/MAX

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